Music Theory for Guitarists

Music Theory for Guitarists

Sooner or later, most guitarists become curious about how their instrument works. Initially, the guitar can seem like a jumble of strings, frets, and rote memorization. As we progress, patterns start to emerge in chord shapes, scale patterns, and chord progressions. Those patterns don’t explain themselves, but even the most fundamental music theory knowledge can illuminate their logic and help you use them effectively. Getting to know the language of music transforms the way you see the guitar and opens up new avenues for your playing.

This course will walk you through the essentials of music theory as it applies to the guitar. You'll start from the very beginning and learn:

• The musical alphabet, the natural scale and the chromatic scale

• How to find and name notes on the fretboard

• The formula for the major scale

• Major, minor, and perfect intervals

• Major, minor, and diminished triads

• The major scale in triads, and how scales and chords work together in keys

Each section will present one building block of essential music theory via a video and and outline.  We’ll explore the concept both with a guitar in hand and using our minds and musical logic alone. Then you'll complete assignments (some guitar-in-hand, some written) to reinforce and practice applying your new knowledge.

Materials Needed: You need a guitar (any kind), paper, and pencil for this course. You’ll probably want to print the lesson notes and written exercises for each class.

Recommended playing experience: One year of playing experience (any genre) is recommended. We will explore many concepts with the guitar in hand. The course won’t demand fancy techniques or speed, but you will want to use logical fingerings for scales and chords.

Prior music theory knowledge: No knowledge of music theory or the notes of the guitar. No music notation involved! You’ll learn the musical alphabet and note names (A, B, C, etc.) on day one, and we’ll use them constantly throughout the course. However, we won’t learn or use written music notation (that is, notes written on the staff). We’ll ignore it completely in the course, as most guitar styles don’t require it.

That said, if you already know music notation, you can apply and use that knowledge in all written exercises. In addition to writing out the note names for all the written exercises, transcribe everything to staff paper. All you’ll need in addition is plenty of staff paper.

After completing Music Theory for Guitarists, if you choose to continue to Music Theory for Guitarists - Part 2, you'll build on your understanding of chords and scales as you learn about: chord inversions and extensions, the minor scale and its variations, how to build and use the circle of fifths, how to transpose and use a capo, and more types of chords, scales, and modes.